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Manoj Bajpayee birthday special: From Pinjar to Gangs of Wasseypur, five best performances by the National Award-winning actor

On the occasion of Manoj Bajpayee’s birthday here are his five films that every movie lover should watch at least once.

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Manoj Bajpayee birthday special: From Pinjar to Gangs to Wasseypur, five best performances by the National Award-winning actor

Manoj Bajpayee is undoubtedly one of the finest actors of our generation in the film industry. Born on April 23, 1969, in a small village named Belwa, Bihar, the three-time National Award winner is celebrating his 53rd birthday.

The actor’s foothold in Hindi cinema has helped in spanning both the commercial cinema as well as the independent. One of the most spiring aspects of his varied filmography is how well he has presented the nuance characters in every film. Be it his voice modulation or the distinctive style of delivering dialogues, everything is worth looking up to.

Making his dream come true, Manoj Bajpayee has managed to deliver several masterpieces in one career. From doing several unnoticed roles at the start of his career to winning six Filmfare Awards and two Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Birthday boy Manoj Bajpayee has come a long way. And here are the top five of his crafts from this journey called acting:

Satya (1998)

Giving much recognition to Manoj Bajpayee, Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya is arguably the best Hindi film made in the decade of the 1990s. The movie was a terrific blend of a disarming journal of Bombay with gritty gangster drama. Through this film, Manoj Bajpayee got his ultimately star-making turn with the character of Bhiku Mhatre. The actor received the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and Filmfare Best Actor Critics Award for Satya.

Pinjar (2003)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNXz7eLgx10

The earnestness and honesty of Manoj Bajpayee’s terrific supporting performance in Pinjar have made this film a must-watch. The actor plays the character of Rashid- a Muslim man who kidnaps a Punjabi Hindu bride named Puro. Portraying the role of a selfish-arrogant man, Manoj comes off as a lot more empathetic and human in the other half of the movie, and this transition shows the caliber of the actor. He also won the Special Jury National Award for Pinjar.

Gangs of Wasseypur (2012)

Anurag Kashyap’s masterpiece, Gangs of Wassepur showed the world what real cinema looks like. Manoj Bajpayee’s character Sardar Khan was a prominent one apart from many marvellous characters. He had every shade and cultural landscape which Bajpayee delivered brilliantly. Also, he has that sensitive energy in a cold form of black comedy. The movie earned several Filmfare Awards.

Aligarh (2016)

Aligarh is one of the best films ever made in the Hindi Film industry. Through Manoj Bajpayee, director Hansal Mehta gave one of the most deeply controlled character studies to Hindi cinema. The film needed restraint as well as an ode to the conviction to portray Professor Ramchandra Siras, and who other than Manoj Bajpayee would have done the job. Manoj Bajpayee combined his acquired body language with brilliant voice modulation to gift the audience with an unmistakably affecting character of Professor Siras.

Bhonsle (2019)

In this film, Manoj Bajpayee plays the role of Ganpat Rao Bhonsle. At present though, he lives in a Mumbai-based chawl and is lately retired. Manoj Bajpayee playing the role of an old man seeking a revival of his term was a treat to watch. The actor plays Bhonsle like a form in desperate need of function. His outstanding performance made him win his latest National Award in the best actor category.

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The Family Man 3 first glimpse: Jaideep Ahlawat, Nimrat Kaur join action thriller series

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Streaming platform Prime Video unveiled the first look of the much-anticipated third season of The Family Man on Friday, introducing actors Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur as formidable new adversaries to Manoj Bajpayee’s iconic spy, Srikant Tiwari.

The action-packed thriller, created and directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, will see Bajpayee reprise his role as Tiwari, a middle-class man navigating the high-stakes world of espionage. The new season, penned by Suman Kumar in collaboration with Raj & DK, will also feature returning cast members Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Ashlesha Thakur, and Vedant Sinha.

In a joint statement, Raj & DK expressed their excitement about elevating the series. “Each season, we strive to raise the bar with a more gripping story, grander scale, and sharper performances. We’re thankful for our fans’ patience. Season 3 will push Srikant and his team to their limits, immersing them in a world of intense danger and personal turmoil that tests their bonds. While juggling a new family dynamic, Srikant will face off against powerful new antagonists, brought to life by the incredibly talented Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur. Our collaboration with Prime Video has been instrumental in shaping this season,” they said.

The upcoming season will follow Srikant as he tackles a looming threat to national security while grappling with the challenges of family life, striving to repair his strained relationship with his wife, Suchitra, played by Priyamani. Details about the roles of Ahlawat, known for Paatal Lok, and Kaur, celebrated for The Lunchbox and Airlift, remain undisclosed, adding to the anticipation.

The Family Man debuted to widespread acclaim in 2019, with its second season, featuring Samantha Ruth Prabhu, earning similar praise in 2021. As excitement builds for the third installment, the addition of Ahlawat and Kaur promises to intensify the stakes for Srikant Tiwari’s latest mission.

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Aamir Khan starrer Sitaare Zameen Par crosses Rs 90-crore mark

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Aamir Khan’s latest cinematic offering, Sitaare Zameen Par, has amassed a nett collection of ₹90 crore domestically within its debut week. Directed by R S Prasanna, the film hit cinemas on 20 June 2025, serving as a spiritual successor to the widely acclaimed 2007 release Taare Zameen Par, and has struck a chord with audiences.

According to Sacnilk, the film opened strongly with ₹10.7 crore nett at the domestic box office, setting the stage for a solid run. Touted as a heartfelt exploration of neurodivergence, Sitaare Zameen Par features Aamir as a basketball coach guiding ten differently-abled individuals towards triumph.

The cast includes Genelia D’Souza alongside fresh talents Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar, with the screenplay penned by Divy Nidhi Sharma. The project is a collaborative production by Aamir Khan, Aparna Purohit, and Ravi Bhagchandka under Aamir Khan Productions.

Critics have noted its connection to the 2018 Spanish drama Campeones (remade in English in 2023 with Woody Harrelson), echoing Taare Zameen Par’s mission to raise awareness about neurodiversity. However, some reviews suggest a didactic approach, with one stating, “Every scene is crafted to deliver a lesson, often tipping the balance from entertaining to preachy, which can frustrate viewers despite Aamir’s knack for edifying cinema.”

The film’s narrative, centred on mentorship and inclusion, has resonated emotionally, contributing to its box office success. Its opening figures and positive word of mouth hint at a potential surge over the weekend.

Earlier today, Aamir participated in a virtual fan meet to celebrate the milestone, sharing anecdotes from the set and praising the young cast’s dedication. “Their energy inspired every frame,” he remarked, boosting fan excitement online. The session, joined by enthusiastic supporters, highlighted the film’s impact, with many lauding its uplifting message.

As Sitaare Zameen Par progresses into its second week, its ₹90 crore haul underscores Aamir Khan’s enduring appeal. Whether it maintains this momentum amidst mixed critical reception remains to be seen, but its strong start has certainly reignited interest in his storytelling legacy.

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Rajkumar Hirani, Shoojit Sircar, Anjali Menon and Onir collaborate to direct second part of My Melbourne

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Acclaimed Indian filmmakers Rajkumar Hirani, Shoojit Sircar, Anjali Menon, and Onir are teaming up for the second edition of My Melbourne, an Indo-Australian anthology film project that celebrates cultural diversity and strengthens cinematic ties between India and Australia, according to a press release.

Produced by Mind Blowing Films and presented by the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), the anthology builds on the success of its inaugural edition, released in March 2025. The first film featured short stories by directors Rima Das, Imtiaz Ali, Kabir Khan, and Onir, exploring themes of identity, gender, race, sexuality, and disability.

Mitu Bhowmick Lange, CEO of Mind Blowing Films and the project’s creative producer, described the response to the first My Melbourne as “immensely gratifying.” She said, “The film showed that authentic, heartfelt stories can resonate across borders. We’re privileged to have some of India’s most celebrated filmmakers contribute their vision to this second chapter. This initiative continues to champion inclusivity and collaboration, offering a platform for emerging talents from underrepresented communities.”

Rajkumar Hirani, renowned for blockbusters like Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots, PK, Sanju, and Dunki, expressed enthusiasm for the project. “My Melbourne is a unique canvas for crafting stories that are personal yet universal, bridging cultures through cinema,” he said.

Anjali Menon, known for her nuanced storytelling, highlighted the project’s alignment with her creative vision. “The themes of My Melbourne resonate deeply with my approach to storytelling—narratives that foster empathy and connect people across divides. I’m excited to be part of this cross-continental collaboration,” she said.

Shoojit Sircar, whose diverse filmography includes Vicky Donor, Madras Cafe, Piku, October, and Sardar Udham, emphasized the universal appeal of the anthology. “Stories transcend borders. My Melbourne is a powerful reminder that locally rooted narratives can carry global impact,” he said.

Onir, returning for the second edition, described the project as “an evolving journey.” He added, “Working with fresh themes and voices while continuing this meaningful initiative is profoundly fulfilling.”

The second instalment of My Melbourne promises to further the anthology’s mission of weaving diverse narratives, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and spotlighting new voices in cinema.

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